New Poll Shows Majority of Americans Support Pro-Choice Candidates​

Poll also finds Americans believe state legislatures should proactively protect the right to abortion through state legislation

A recent poll conducted by Public Policy Polling on behalf of NARAL Pro-Choice America found that a majority — 64%– of voters are more likely to support elected officials in the next election if they work to advance legislation that will protect Roe v. Wade and prevent the criminalization of abortion.

Other key highlights from the poll include:

58% of voters agree that it is important for state legislatures to proactively protect the right to abortion through state legislation, giving more than a 2-to-1 margin of support for pro-choice legislation.

A large majority (85%) of voters believe that abortion should be legal

Of those who believe it should be legal, a majority (51%) personally support a woman’s right to abortion and believe it should be legal and available, while the remaining 34% believe the government should not prevent a woman from making that decision for herself.

There is little difference in belief along gender lines, as the majority of both men (58%) and women (57%) believe it is important for state legislatures to proactively protect the right to abortion.

In response to the findings, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue issued the following statement:

“At a time when Roe v. Wade is under continued threat from an extremist anti-choice movement hellbent on punishing women and banning abortion, these results show that elected officials who push the anti-choice agenda are dangerously out-of-step with the majority of Americans, and do so at their own peril.

“Voters are saying loud and clear that they want elected officials who not only respect reproductive freedom, but who will go an extra step to pass proactive state legislation that protects abortion access. The question is: will legislators listen?

“This data showing American voters overwhelmingly support candidates who do not want to criminalize abortion compounds the reason for why our eyes are on the states as our next battleground. We’ll keep fighting to ensure that our voices are heard across the country.”

The poll comes at a time when NARAL Pro-Choice America recently launched the “Reality of Roe” campaign to educate Americans in all 50 states about the threat to the legal right to abortion and reproductive freedom in their communities.

NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates are dedicated to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom for all Americans. NARAL works to guarantee that every woman has the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. In recognition of its work defending our constitutional right to choose, Fortune Magazine described NARAL as “one of the top 10 advocacy groups in America.”